Collapsible Water Tank

ABSTRACT

A liquid storage device includes a rigid upper top, a rigid lower base and compliant collapsible/expandable bladder in which the bladder fits intermediate the top and base and is movable between a collapsed form with the top and the base nesting so as to form a transportable package for the device and an expanded form with the top and base drawn apart so as to provide a reservoir and storage for liquid in which the top, base and bladder are held in juxtaposition by an open frame interposed between the top and base with the bladder being confined by the frame and base and in which the open frame includes a lower ring adapted for fitting within an open channel formed in the base, an upper ring adapted for mounting the top of the bladder and a plurality of vertical struts interposed between the lower and upper rings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2007901554 filed on 23 Mar. 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to facilities for the storage of rain water and other liquids and in particular, relates to a collapsible water tank adapted for ready transport and positioning in or via a confined environment, or an environment where the bulk accompanying standard water tanks may represent a difficulty in installation, storage or transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The collection and storage of rain water in domestic situations has gained ever increasing urgency in the current climatic conditions with Australia and other countries experiencing climate change including extended periods of rainfall deprivation and drought.

The supply of available water for free use for the watering of gardens, washing of cars and other non-essential activities is facing increased threat with the introduction of ever-tightening water restrictions.

The availability of water storage tanks in various configurations is constantly being adapted to store rainwater in domestic situations. The traditional rainwater tank is almost by definition, a highly bulky item due to the necessity of the tanks store a given volume of water to be of value. In most domestic situations, the storage of at least 5000 litres of water is necessary in order to offset the costs of purchase and fitting of a rainwater tank. However, the size and bulk of any water tank can, in many domestic situations, be inappropriate given the overall footprint such a tank storage system imposes on a domestic situation. In addition to the footprint occupied by a tank able to store a reasonable quantity of water, the ability of such a tank to be maneuvered into the confines of a domestic situation is often limited and may involve traversing gates, fences, laneways etc. The increasing pressure on land space and increase in population density experienced in many domestic circumstances provides an additional impediment to the use of traditional water storage tanks.

Whilst the footprint and bulk of a water storage tank required to store a reasonable quantity of water must, inescapably include a certain bulk, the ability of a tank to store such volumes of water, does not necessarily require the tank to be of a solid configuration as is commonly known in the prior art.

Alternative forms of water storage are well known including bladders and other devices adapted for storing volumes of water in compliant or moveable storage systems of various configurations. However, the use of inflatable or fillable bladders for storage of water presents many problems, particularly in the domestic situation where bladders are difficult to stabilise, particularly when full of water. In addition, bladders are vulnerable to puncture and damage and are not aesthetically pleasing.

In addition to the problems associated with the use of conventional water storage tanks in a domestic environment as detailed above, a range of analogous problems exist in other fields with the use of water tanking and storage facilities, including military environments, situations involving the provision of humanitarian aid and the number of export markets also impose a range of demanding criteria which are often found to be incompatible with the use of conventional water storage tanks, particularly due to the bulk of such tanks and the logistic problems involved in transport and storage of such water tanking facilities.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved water or liquid storage device applicable to a wide range of use including use in demanding environments.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a liquid storage device comprising a rigid upper top, a rigid lower base and a compliant collapsible/expandable bladder wherein said bladder is adapted for fitting intermediate said top and base and is movable between a collapsed form with said top and said base adapted for nesting so as to form a transportable package for said device and an expanded form with said top and base being drawn apart so as to provide a reservoir and storage for liquid wherein said top, said base and said bladder are held in juxtaposition by an open frame interposed between said top and said base with said bladder being confined by said frame and said base and wherein said open frame includes a lower ring adapted for fitting within an open channel formed in said base, an upper ring adapted for mounting the top of said bladder and a plurality of vertical struts interposed between said lower and upper rings.

The struts may be variable in height and may be a telescopic, folding, disassemblable or collapsible to accommodate movement of said top and base between the collapsed and expanded forms.

The top component of the device preferably includes an open channel adapted for receiving and fitting of the upper ring and attached bladder.

The top or the base may include an extended circumferential lip adapted to cooperate with the respective base or top so as to form a substantially sealed transport container for the collapsed device. The circumferential lip is most preferably formed from the periphery at the top and is adapted to neatly nest or fit onto the base of the device in the collapsed configuration.

The bladder is preferably of an open type without a dedicated and integral top with the top 1 of the device forming the top or roof or closure of the reservoir function of the device. The bladder may include a reinforced or double thickness wall at or near the base in order to provide additional rigidity and resistance to bulging as the bladder fills.

The top of the device preferably includes a transverse indent for the purposes of providing additional rigidity to the top and also for the purposes of holding the struts captive during storage and transport.

The bladder preferably includes an upper hem formed around the top thereof specifically adapted to receive the top ring. The upper hem includes a plurality of openings allowing the top ring to be readily threaded through and ultimately fastened upon itself so as to form an integral top ring circumnavigating the upper hem of the bladder.

The bladder includes a lower outlet valve and may also include an overflow valve towards the top end thereof. The top of the device preferably includes an orifice to function as an inlet for liquid.

The collapsed device of the invention is configured with the outer surface of the base being adapted to nest with the outer surface of the top, such that a plurality of collapsed devices of the invention can be stacked one on top of the other in a neat and stable nesting configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to a selection of particularly preferred embodiments as detailed in the figures and legend as follows:

LEGEND

-   1. Top -   2. Base -   3. Bladder -   4. Sides -   5. Lips -   6. Inlet -   7. Port -   8. Outlet -   9. Overflow -   10. Vertical Supports (struts) -   11. Open frame -   12. Upper band/ring -   13. Lower band/ring -   14. Bladder hem -   15. Base open channel -   16. Top open channel -   17. Transverse indent -   18. Ring spigot -   19. Bladder opening -   20. Fastener

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the water storage device in the full or expanded configuration in exploded view;

FIG. 2 shows the above water storage device during assembly;

FIG. 3 shows the water storage device of FIGS. 1 and 2 with fittings connected;

FIG. 4 shows the device in its collapsed form;

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of devices in stacked or nested form;

FIG. 6 shows the device in cross-section.

Referring to the FIGS. 1 through to 6, the invention comprises a liquid storage device resembling in many respects, the standard water storage tank. Whilst the invention particularly described a water storage device, the scope of the invention provides for storage of a wide range of liquids. The storage device includes a rigid upper top 1, a rigid lower base 2 where both the top and the base occupy a footprint resembling that of a conventional tank either as a round footprint or an oval footprint, although any configuration would be suitable including square or rectangular. The particularly preferred embodiment of the invention details the round configuration which combines the optimal strength and space available for storage provided by the round footprint. The open frame 11 and lower base portions 2 of the storage device provide the necessary foundation and strength to hold the weight, and volume of water capacity available for a given device. In addition, the rigid top and rigid bottoms of the device provide protection and durability for the storage device as well as providing stability and resistance to undesirable flexion of the open frame once filled or partially filled with water.

Intermediate of the rigid upper top and rigid lower base is provided a bladder 3. The bladder forms the compliant and collapsible core of the storage device and allows the storage device to move freely between the empty or collapsed form as shown in FIG. 4 and the full or expanded form of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The bladder can be formed as an integral element of the storage device such that the bladder has exposed sides 4 in addition to an integral bottom where the sides and bottom of the bladder fit snugly within the confines of the base 2 and the open frame 11.

The bladder is preferably of an “open” type without an integral top such that the open top receives water directly from the inlet aperture 6 formed in the top 1. The bladder is also provided with an outlet valve 8 and an overflow valve 9 which function in the usual manner of any other water storage tank.

In order to provide the device of the invention with added rigidity and controlled movement between the empty or collapsed position and the full or expanded position, the device of the invention is provided with an open frame 11. The open frame may comprise a plurality of vertical supports or struts 10 adapted to fit and interconnect to an upper band or ring 12 and a lower band or ring 13 respectively. The upper and lower bands are provided with a plurality of spigots 18 adapted to cooperate and fit into the respective ends of the vertical supports 10. The upper and lower bands are adapted to fit within open channels 15 formed in the base 2 and a corresponding open channel 16 formed in the top 1. In this manner, the upper and lower bands can be fitted snugly within the base and top members so as to ensure rigidity and proper support for the device of the invention when filled with water. The vertical supports may be provided as solid members or alternatively can be telescopic, foldable, collapsible or disassemblable, allowing for vertical movement to accommodate different volumetric storage situations of the water storage device. An alternative is to provide the vertical supports with the hinging capacity to allow for movement between the collapsed form and the expanded form.

In use the device of the invention will be supplied as a flat pack kit shown in FIG. 4 with the top 1 neatly interconnecting with the base 2 where the lip 5 of the top fits snugly onto the base member 2 so as to form a container for holding the upper and lower bands and the collapsed bladder. The top can be formed with a transverse indent 17 which is particularly configured to receive the vertical struts 10 during packaging and transport and also functions to provide rigidity for the top and the assembled package as well as providing a water channel for the inlet 6 (not shown in FIG. 4).

The configuration of the top and base also allow for the nesting of a plurality of packaged devices as shown in FIG. 5 which can be stacked up for storage, transport and retail display.

The assembly and installation of the device can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 where the compact nature of the package device as shown in FIG. 4 allows ready transport into almost any position in which the tank may be required to be installed including through narrow gateways, alleyways and even lends itself to ready transport through houses and internal doorways to courtyards, decks and positions on a property not otherwise accessible. Once the package is delivered to the site required, the top 1 and base 2 are separated and drawn apart as shown in FIG. 1. The compliant and collapsible bladder 3 can then be unfolded and the lower band 13 of the open frame positioned within the base open channel 15. The upper band 12 of the open frame, comprising a broken or split band can be threaded through the upper portion of the bladder 3 via the hem region 14 and the top bladder openings 19. Once the upper band is threaded through the bladder hem it can be clipped together by way of suitable fittings, thereby allowing the bladder to be lifted up to adopt its expanded position whence the vertical struts 10 can be installed into the respective spigots 18 formed around the upper and lower bands. The lower and upper bands are then drawn together and can be held in place by rivets or self-tapping screws or other fastening means if required.

Once the bladder is assembled and held into its correct shape by the open frame, the top 1 can be drawn down onto the upper band 12 so as to cooperate by way of the top open channel 16 as is clearly shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6. The top open channel 16 is adapted to reinforce and fit the upper band 12 by way of suitable fastening device 20. Once the top 1 is fastened to the upper band 12, the whole device adopts a very rigid and structurally sound aspect and is ready to receive water through the inlet 6.

Referring to FIG. 3, the assembled device is shown with a schematic view of the possible plumbing fittings appropriate where a water source is juxtaposed to the inlet 6 so as to provide a source of water for the device. The inlet 6 is configured to be positioned within the transverse indent 17 at the top, aiding the channelling and direction of water into the device which can be accomplished without dedicated and integral plumbing if so desired. The lower part of the bladder is provided with an outlet 8 which can be fitted to an appropriate hose or other dispensing device.

The particularly preferred embodiment detailed above can provide various adaptations including a bladder with a double thickness wall provided to effect reinforcement towards the lower quarter or third of the bladder. Such a reinforcement may assist in alleviating any bulging or unsteadiness with the bladder if required; but is quite optional. The bladder may also include an overflow port 9 in the manner of a conventional tank.

An alternative configuration for open frame being made of the vertical supports may include hoops which are designed to bridge the top and base of the device and therein provide additional strength to prevent any skewing which may occur with the tank where the top and bottom may move out of alignment due to water-movement within the bladder of the storage device.

As an alternative to the unitary bladder configuration, the bladder may be formed as a peripheral skirt welded to the perimeter within the lip region of the top 1 and the base 2. The bladder may also adopt any shape or configuration including a concertina configuration to assist in the compliance and movement between the empty and full configuration.

In addition, the bladder may be provided with one or more internal baffles to limit water movement and aid in the stability of the device.

The invention provides for the first time a robust, aesthetically pleasing and readily transportable water storage device adapted for storing a meaningful amount of water. The device of the invention is particularly adapted for transport and storage in a collapsed configuration or form where the top and base can be collapsed down into a highly compact form of the device as shown in FIG. 4, which lends itself to economical transport, storage, packing and movement into confined spaces and positions as is often found in the domestic environment. In the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 4, the device of the invention can be readily packaged, delivered and stored for sale. The compact form of the collapsed configuration of the device is readily able to be handled by a minimal number of personnel and can be readily stored for commercial sale and distribution, easily manhandled into a trailer or other transportation device and equally readily manhandled into a domestic or other situation with restricted access. The collapsed form of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 could even be taken through a domestic house environment into a backyard for ready use and storage of a wide range of water capacities.

The device of the invention provides for the first time, the ability to readily manufacture, distribute and install a highly versatile water storage system at a wide range of domestic and semi-industrial situations that would otherwise have been deprived or been highly unsuitable for the installation of water storage devices of meaningful volume.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

1. A liquid storage device comprising: a rigid upper top, a rigid lower base having an open channel formed therein, a compliant collapsible/expandable bladder wherein said bladder is adapted for fitting intermediate said top and base and is movable between a collapsed form with said top and said base adapted for nesting so as to form a transportable package for said device and an expanded form with said top and base being drawn apart so as to provide a reservoir and storage for liquid, an open frame interposed between said top and said base for holding said top, said base and said bladder in juxtaposition with said bladder being confined by said frame and said base and wherein said open frame includes a lower ring adapted for fitting within said open channel formed in said base, an upper ring adapted for mounting a top of said bladder and a plurality of vertical struts interposed between said lower and upper rings.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the top includes an open channel adapted for fitting to said upper ring.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said top and said base includes an extended circumferential lip adapted to cooperate with said base and said top, respectively, so as to form a substantially sealed transport container for said device in a collapsed condition.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said bladder includes one of: a reinforced wall and a double thickness wall at least near the base.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said top includes a transverse indent to provide rigidity to said top and wherein said indent is configured to hold said struts captive during storage and transport.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said bladder includes an upper hem adapted to receive said upper ring.
 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said bladder includes a lower outlet valve and said top includes an inlet for said liquid.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device in a collapsed condition is adapted to be stackable with other said devices in a collapsed condition, wherein an upper surface of said top of one said collapsed device is configured to nest with an undersurface of said base of another said collapsed device.
 9. A device according to claim 1, adapted for storing water.
 10. (canceled) 